After missing out on former Roma’s sporting director Monchi, Arsenal have turned their attentions to former Dutch international Marc Overmars to take up the role of Sporting director.
Monchi was Arsenal’s top target to fill the all-important technical director role and looked set for a reunion with Unai Emery after leaving Roma earlier this month. Sources close to the 50-year-old were last week confident that he would accept an offer from Arsenal, but a dramatic reshuffle at Sevilla has caused a change of heart.
Arsenal are now likely to divert their attention towards Marc Overmars, their former winger who now serves as the technical director of Ajax. It is becoming an increasingly pressing issue for Arsenal, who are looking to complete the restructure of the club at boardroom level.The loss of Sven Mislintat, the former head of recruitment who left the club earlier this year, has left a gap in the recruitment department.
The chain of events that led to Monchi returning to Spain was triggered when Sevilla sacked head coach Pablo Machin after they were knocked out of the Europa League by Slavia Prague. Director of football Joaquin Caparros has been placed in charge of the team, leaving a vacancy for Monchi.
The Spaniard spent 17 years as Sevilla’s director of football, when he was credited with a series of successful signings, including the likes of Dani Alves and Ivan Rakitic.
Jose Castro, the Sevilla president, said on Friday that he had contacted Monchi about returning to the club. Monchi then hinted at his decision to return to Spain on Saturday, tweeting the words: “The heart never forgets the path where it left its best beats”.
Meanwhile, the Gunners boss Unai Emery took himself back to former club Valencia over the weekend. Emery coached Los Che for four years between 2008 and 2012. And he was back at his old stomping ground on Saturday to see his former club in action against surprise package Getafe.
The Madrid club have enjoyed a stellar campaign and, miraculously, find themselves in Champions League contention. In Valencia, they held their more illustrious hosts to a goalless draw on Sunday, keeping them fourth and two points clear of fifth place.
Much of the success of Jose Bordalas’ side has been underpinned by their defence, which has conceded just 24 times in La Liga so far this term. To put that into context, only Atletico Madrid and Valencia have conceded less.
According to AS in Spain, Emery’s visit wasn’t merely to check up on his old club – potential Europa League opponents for this current club. Instead, Emery was keeping tabs on a member of the Getafe back line.
A key man in defence for the relative minnows this season has been Togo international Djene Dakonam. Signed by Getafe in 2017 from Belgian side Sint-Truidense for just over £2million, Djene has impressed in the two seasons since.
Such has been his growth this term, he has captained the side on occasions and now Getafe are pointing interested clubs towards his €35million release clause. Getafe president Angel Torres was reportedly contacted by Arsenal about the player last summer.
It appears that interest, at a time when they are looking to strengthen and continue rebuilding, remains. Arsenal have conceded 39 times in the Premier League this term; only Manchester United in the top seven have conceded more.